Answers Quote by Manfred Rommel
![“I think my father [ Erwin Rommel] would have given the same answer. The British and Americans and the French were too strong, too strong and the strategy of this battle was too clever. And the war may be - it would have taken some weeks longer before the German front was penetrated. And by the…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08d/manfred-rommel-39046_answers_i-think-my-father-erwin-rommel-would-hav_3187954.jpg)
“I think my father [ Erwin Rommel] would have given the same answer. The British and Americans and the French were too strong, too strong and the strategy of this battle was too clever. And the war may be - it would have taken some weeks longer before the German front was penetrated. And by the way, today we know that it was better to lose the war than to win it with Hitler.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with German General Manfred Rommel, post‑World War II, 1950s
He reflects that even a strong opponent could have been defeated with more time, but losing was preferable to winning under Hitler’s rule.
In simple terms: Even a strong army might have lost, but losing was better than winning with Hitler.
Key Takeaway
Consider the moral cost of victory under evil leadership.
Themes
war
morality
strategy
history
leadership
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- military education
- ethical debates
- political science
- leadership training
Key Concepts
ethical decision‑making
military strategy
political consequences
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “better to lose” mean in moral terms?
- How do we assess the value of a victory under a tyrannical regime?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a counterfactual scenario that cannot be verified.
![“Hitler overestimated the importance of [technology]. As a result, he would count on a mere handful of assault-gun detachment or the new Tiger tanks to restore situations where only large bodies of troops could have any prospect of success.” quote by Erich von Manstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/575/erich-von-manstein-41481_assault_hitler-overestimated-the-importance-of-t_1900375.jpg)
![“[Erwin Rommel] explained why in short words, what the two generals' message and then he explained his position and he gave some reason for his position. And then he said, "The ten minutes are over, and I have to leave now." Then my father said goodbye. He also told that us that in I think twenty…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d3/manfred-rommel-39046_died_erwin-rommel-explained-why-in-short-word_63616.jpg)
![“It may be that [Erwin Rommel] believed it to be possible to convince [Adolf] Hitler to go away and to end the war, but Hitler never dreamed of doing something like that.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9c8/manfred-rommel-39046_convince_it-may-be-that-erwin-rommel-believed-it_77433.jpg)
![“This is our problem, our dilemma, yes? We cannot celebrate and declare ourselves to belong to the victorious nations because our brothers and our fathers and grandfathers died in this battle [in Normandy], yes. I understand that the Americans and the British and French celebrate one of the…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2fe/manfred-rommel-39046_battle_this-is-our-problem-our-dilemma-yes-we-c_97284.jpg)
![“So my father [Erwin Rommel] decided during the battle in Normandy, he knew really soon that it wasn't possible to win this battle. But my father decided pretty soon to, if necessary, to surrender on his own responsibility when the British or Americans penetrate the German positions.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a9/manfred-rommel-39046_battle_so-my-father-erwin-rommel-decided-during_535121.jpg)
![“[D-Day] means to me a beginning of the freedom of Europe. The freedom was the achievement of the military adversaries of the Germans.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6c/manfred-rommel-39046_achievement_d-day-means-to-me-a-beginning-of-the-fre_690307.jpg)
![“My father [Erwin Rommel] believed that [Adolf] Hitler has a gift of touching the important points, the essential points.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bf/manfred-rommel-39046_essentials_my-father-erwin-rommel-believed-that-ado_795562.jpg)
![“Of course, [Adolf] Hitler was a dilettante, but he was a completely amoral person. Yes, he had no morals at all.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df8/manfred-rommel-39046_courses_of-course-adolf-hitler-was-a-dilettante_1080340.jpg)
![“It was very strange, because my father [ Erwin Rommel] received the first call at seven o'clock in the morning. And [Hans] Speidel told my father, "I will call you up in one hour when I see more clearly what's going on." After an hour, Speidel said, "Yes, the landing took place in Normandy." And…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a6/manfred-rommel-39046_british_it-was-very-strange-because-my-father-er_2538770.jpg)
![“My father [Erwin Rommel] believed that Germany should have a great interest to leave the war with a peace under conditions.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d6/manfred-rommel-39046_conditions_my-father-erwin-rommel-believed-that-ger_2996005.jpg)
